INDIAN & INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL NEWS - Feb-2014

AIFF MEDIA RELEASE : In a first for Indian Football, All India Football Federation presented the 'Indian Football Awards' at a gala function at the FICCI Federation House, New Delhi on Thursday (February 13, 2014) evening. A horde of dignitaries from the sporting World, members from the AIFF Executive Committee, AIFF Sponsors, Marketing Partners and the Corporate World graced the occasion.

AIFF Technical Director Robert Baan, National Coach Wim Koevermans, AIFF Technical Director, Academies Scott O'Donell, also the Director of Coach Education and former Indian Captain Bhaichung Bhutia were also present.

National Team Captain Sunil Chhetri who was unanimously voted the 2013 AIFF Player of the Year by Club Coaches from the Airtel I-League received the Award from Mr. Wim Koevermans, National Coach, Indian Senior National Team, Mr. Subrata Dutta, Senior Vice-President, AIFF and Mr. A.R. Khaleel, Chairman, I-League Committee, also a member of the AIFF Executive Committee.

Chhetri, presently the highest Indian goalscorer in International Football with 43 goals had earlier received the Award in 2007 and 2011. Besides the Trophy he was presented with a prize of Rs. 2 lakh.

"Its a huge honour to be receiving it in front of such an audience. I need to thank AIFF for the gesture and want to dedicate it to my family. It's for them what I am today," Chhetri stated. Sometimes Awards can make you complacent and if you become so, then it doesn't take time for your form to dip. All these years I have learnt to deal with adulations and criticism in a normal way. Honestly, I'm still learning."

2013 Woman Footballer of the Year Bembem Devi thanked AIFF for the recognition. She was presented the Trophy by Mr. Robert Baan, Technical Director, AIFF, Mr. K.M.I. Mather, Vice-President, AIFF and Justice Mukul Mudgil (Retd) Chief Justice, Punjab & Haryana High Court, and received a prize of Rs. 1 lakh besides the Trophy.

"My happiness knows no bounds. It is after 13 years that I have won this Award again. A lot has changed since then but not the excitement. I am elated," Bembem told www.the-aiff.com. "I am 33 today. AIFF gave me the boost when I was starting and at the twilight of my career they have recognized my contribution. I can't ask for anything more. Thank you, AIFF."

Besides, Jeje Lalpekhlua was awarded the 2013 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year. He was presented a prize of Rs. 75000 besides the Trophy. The Trophy was presented by Mr. Bhaichung Bhutia, Chairman, AIFF Technical Committee, also former Indian National Team Captain and Mr. Avinash Pant, Director Marketing, Nike India Pvt. Ltd.

Jeje who has scored 14 International Goals so far felt the "Award makes him more confident."

"Sharing the platform with Bembem Devi and Sunil Chhetri, both of whom I have looked up to in my professional career is a privilege for me. I need to thank AIFF for conferring this Award to me," the 22-year old Jeje Lalpekhlua stated. "This is only an inspiration to do better. This makes me more motivated."

The recipients of the Awards stay as follows:

Award for Best Grassroots Development Programme: Mizoram Football Association.
Award for long-time contribution to Indian Football : Tata Football Academy
2013 AIFF Award for the Best Assistant Referee : Biplab Poddar.
2013 AIFF Award for the Best Referee : Pratap Singh
2013 AIFF Award for Emerging Player of the Year : Jeje Lalpekhlua
2013 AIFF Award Best Woman Player of the Year : Oinam Bembem Devi
2013 AIFF Award for Player of the Year : Sunil Chhetri